Chapter 12 - THE FEDERAL WARRANT
Ethan stepped firmly into the doorway, blocking the agents' line of sight into the apartment living room.
"Stolen documents? Chloe wrote that thesis using publicly available EPA filings and legitimate academic databases," Ethan protested sharply.
"Mr. Vance filed an emergency injunction two hours ago claiming his daughter engaged in industrial espionage and corporate extortion," Agent Miller explained coolly.
Chloe felt the breath rush out of her lungs as the sheer audacity of her father's counter-attack fully registered.
"He's framing me... he's using the federal courts to seize my research data before the EPA can subpoena it," Chloe whispered in horror.
"We are required by law to execute this search warrant and impound any physical or digital files related to Vance Global," Agent Miller stated neutrally.
Ethan looked back at Chloe, silently communicating a desperate warning with his eyes.
"The thesis folder is on the kitchen table," Chloe said suddenly, her voice remarkably steady.
Agent Miller nodded to his partner, who stepped past Ethan and walked directly into the apartment kitchen.
The agent picked up the dark leather graduation diploma folder, sliding it carefully into a transparent plastic evidence bag.
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"Thank you for your cooperation. You are both instructed not to leave the state pending a preliminary grand jury hearing," Agent Miller instructed.
The federal agents turned and marched down the stairwell, leaving the apartment door standing wide open to the empty hallway.
